Rupert Wyatt Reveals His Gambit Movie Was a ’70s Crime Epic

Rupert Wyatt Reveals His Gambit Movie Was a ’70s Crime Epic

The tale of 20th Century Fox’s live-action Gambit film is a curious one, to say the least. At one point, it was slated to be released in 2015 with Channing Tatum in the lead role. But it currently sits in development hell, thanks in part to the Disney and Fox merger. However, a new story suggests what could have happened if director Rupert Wyatt had his way.

The director of the forthcoming sci-fi film Captive State originally joined the Gambit film back in June 2015. However, he left just months later for unknown reasons. During a recent chat with Collider, Wyatt suggested that he envisioned it as a ’70s heist film.

“Yeah, (a heist film) of a sort,” explained Wyatt. “I mean it was a period film. It dealt with the 70s up until the present day. It was about kind of mutant gangs and the notion of what it meant to belong, tribalism in this bayou-like environment. The swamps of New Orleans. So it would’ve been a lot of fun. I know Channing (Tatum) sort of worked on the script to make it into more of a romantic comedy, I think. Which I read and it was great, it was very different to what I was involved in. But now Disney has the reins so I don’t know what their plans are.”

“And then of course whatever happened after me with other directors, I have no idea,” continued Wyatt. What I do know is that Channing Tatum and his producing partner Reid Carolin had an amazing idea of what this movie was going to be, and Josh Zeutemer, the writer, as well. It was terrific, it was a really exciting sort of Godfather with mutants set in the world of New Orleans with different gangs.”

Although recent reports suggested that Tatum might direct the Gambit film himself, it’s not likely to be a priority for Marvel Studios once it assumes control of the X-Men and Fantastic Four characters. For now, it’s simply a project that could have happened.

Would you have seen Rupert Wyatt’s take on Gambit? Let us know why in the comments below!